artists influenced by Slipknot

Slipknot rocker Corey Taylor has revealed bassist Paul Gray - who died in May - did not get the credit he deserved for his songwriting skills.

Paul Gray was the "heart and soul" of Slipknot.

The heavy metal group's vocalist Corey Taylor paid tribute to his late bandmate - who was found dead in a hotel room in Iowa in May - at last night's (29.07.10) Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Awards.

Accepting the award for Services To Metal on the rocker's behalf, Corey - who also co-presented the show alongside Anthrax's Scott Ian - said: "People don't realise this, but he wrote almost all the music for Slipknot - he deserves way more credit for that than he's ever been given. He was the heart and soul of the band and the best dude I've ever known."

An autopsy following the star's shock death earlier this year revealed he died from an accidental overdose of what is believed to be painkillers morphine and fentanyl.

Corey told BANG Showbiz: "Every day is a constant reminder but this is such a fitting tribute and a true recognition of the contribution he made to music and the world in general. I couldn't be more proud.

"He wrote well over half the music for the band and I really don't think Joey Jordison could have been as good without him.

"Paul wrote some of the heavier rifts and some of the most beautiful, melodic rifts. Once we got him into that realm it really started opening him up and he wrote so many great songs for us.

"It just feels weird without him, but it was an honour to be in a band with him. I miss him every day."